Gauging apparatus



Aug. 14, 1945 LANDAY ETAL 2,382,885

GAUGING APPARATUS Fild April 23, 1943 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I r 91 ATTORNEYS fil'ltlfi INVENTORJ zigwaab V I. 9 m. B. ow on mm \W 05 m n@ 5- k ih m 8 Aug. 14, 945 H. J. LANDAY ETAL GAUGING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1943 s' Sheets- Sheet :5

FIG.

GRCI-IIN IIIIIIIIIII AMBER GREEN Patented Aug. 14, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE- GAUGING APPARATUS Horace J. Landay, Woodmere, N. Y., and Charles W. Warren, North Plainfield, N. J.

Application April 23, 1943, Serial No. 484,288

3 Claims. (Cl. 20988) The present invention relates to apparatus for gauging articles which may be produced in large quantities with one or more dimensions lying within predetermined measurements of small permissible variation.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a gauging apparatus which may be adjusted readily to gauge a selected group of supposedly identical articles, to indicate those which are within permissible predetermined variation, those which are oversize and those which are undersize. A further object of the invention is to provide semi-automatic means for classifying gauged articles, and tothat end the apparatus of the invention preferably includes gauge controlled mechanisms by which the gauged articles are classified, for example, into the three categories above mentioned. Other objects and' advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been selected for purposes of description and illustration and is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the under side of part of the apparatus on the diagonal line 3-3 trical connections of the several units of the apparatus, which connections are entirely omitted from the other figures of the drawings for the sake of simplicity.

Referring to Figure 1, a gauging head, generally designated by the numeral I, is mounted on a platform 2. This gauging head carries an axially adjustable and movable spindle 3 mounted in such relation with respect to an abutment or anvil 4 that articles to be gauged may be passed between the spindle 3 and the abutment 4 in order to gauge a selected dimension of the article. When the gauged article has been passed between the spindle and abutment and gauged in the manner hereinafter to be described, it may be dropped through an opening 5 in the platform 2, whereupon it may be automatically directed, in a manner also hereinafter-described, into one or another of three compartments indicated generallyby the letters A, B and C.

Inasmuch as the gauging head itself embodies improvements in apparatus of this type and may be used independently of the classifying mechanism which directs gauged articles into one or another of the three compartments just men-,

tioned, the gauging head will first be described in detail in conjunction with so, much of the apparatus and electrical connections as is necessary to give a visual indication of the action of the gauging head.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, itmay be seen that the workcontacting spindle tip 3 is a part of a spindle assembly 6 which is mounted foraxial movement in bushing I, the latter being mounted in a suitable housing or encasement 8. The spindle assembly 6 comprises the threaded adjustabl tip 3 locked in position bynut 9, an.

overtravel plunger I0 urged outwardly .by an overtravel spring II, threaded adjusting sleeve I2 locked in position by nut I3, and main spindle spring I4. As shown in Figure 1 the spring I4 will tend to move the spindle assembly 6 along its axis toward a lever arm I5 which is pivoted at IS in the housing 8. Thus a constant contact is maintained between overtravel plunger Ill and lever arm I5.

Also mounted in housing 8 are tWo switch boxes I! and I8, so pivoted on suitable pivots I9 and 20 that the switch actuating plungers 2I and 22 are contacted and depressed or released by the motion of pivot arm I5. Any motion of spindle assembly 6 along its axis will be transmitted to lever arm I5 and magnified in amplitude by an amount dependent upon the ratio f the distances between the contact point of overtravel plunger I0 and the contact points of switch actuating plungers 2I and 22 to the lever arm pivot point I6. Preferably this ratio is between 3 and 4 to 1 in order that motion of the spindle assembly 6 will be correspondingly amplified. The relative total separation of actuating plungers 2I and 22, as well as the individual resting position of each plunger in relation to the pivot arm I5, is adjustable by rotation of .knobs 23 and 24 which drive threaded screws 25 and 26 through suitable bushings in the housing 8. Bearing on the switch boxes I! and I8 on the sides of switch pivotal mountings I9 and 20 opposite from screws 25 and 26, are compression springs 21 and 28 which maintain the position of switch boxes I! and I8, always in firm contact with screws 25 and 26. Thus byadjusting knobs 23 and 24, the position of the actuating plungers 2 land 22 may be varied in relation to pivot arm I5;

Also mounted in housing 8 is a threaded adjusting screw 29 which may be rotated by knob operated by very slight motion of the plungers 2| and 22, as for example the mechanism shown in United States Patent No. 1,960,020, dated May 22, 1934, and particularlyEigure, lpf said pate ent. The electrical circuits controlledrby gthese switches will be later described.

In order to adjust the gauge-head l to properly gauge production pieces, it is necessary to use two standard master pieces which correspond in dimension -to the maximum and minimum ac.- ceptable dimensions. Thedifferencesin. size of these pieces -willtherefore. be thetolerance. or permissiblevariation. allowed.

Withthe minimum master epiece in (P13061118? tween the anvil- 4- and the work contacting atip: 3, a rough adjustment is made by loosening. the lock nut 9 and rotating the threaded tip 3;until contact is made with master piece, whereupon the lock'nut 9 is tightened. Theovertravelad- .13 toward and away from the lever will ap- ;;plunger 22 away from contact with lever l5 to a lesser extent in the described position than it will-when the switchbox and lever are not parallel. .rIn otherwords, the motion of the plunger proximate that of simple harmonic motion as the it switch box is rotated, thus providing a small justingesleeve-"l2- held by lock nut. .13 has been W previously adjusted to provide aproper tension of overtravel compression spring I l.- againstovertravel plunger Ill.

-The knob 23 may now berotatedin .theproper direction to-obtain a positionof switch H .such that operating plungen 2|. just moves -from. the depressed or :left positionto the .undepressed or right position as viewed-in Eigure 1. ,Thegminimum-standard work .piece may .now be removed from betweenthe tip. 3 and. anvil. 4, thus permitting -the lever l5 to move counterclockwisaundel the influenceof: spring. 3| to; depressand. maintain operating plunger.- 2| of. switch. I I -in epressed condition. This, adjustment, will;.re pre-' sent .theminimum workin pressure ofthespindle tip 3 on :the. work; butcanbe Greased;.to any desiredpressureabove.theminim lm by fillthererotation oiknoh 30. l'lhekuob. inla 1W be turned to. .rotate. switch box 18, as tar; as it will go in counterclockwise. dilefltifini est ndard-;maximum..work piece ;may; now be inserted in gauging osition betwe n. pin; 3. and anv l 4- By..turningxthe-knobju.the switchbox. I8 is rotated .in clockwise direct on u t the operating plunger 22 mo.ves fromits normal or undepressed left position toits depressed or right position.

In connectiomwitnthe.adjustment of switch boxes 11 and .I8, it ilaybeistated that for any paring instrument. of. this nature it is de i able that. adiustment. of th o ere ce e tin s be as rapidas possible and yet. capable of an accuracyconsistent withthe tolerances of the work being gauged. Inpractice, this means that where the =work; to be gauged has liberal tolerances it is desirable th t. adiustm s p y made asby .afew,turns;.of the adjusting knobs. Where.- extremelysmall tolerances are encoun- ..tered, .it is desirable that vfine.adjustm ents can be made. This-is facilitated by an arrangement which requ re many. urn dj t n kn to accomplish un it sme change -lathe to erance settings of the instrument.

.Such an adiu tmenti possible with the present invention audwill, be, explained by reference to switch l8 and its associated mechanisms. The

change in position for each turn of the adjusting knob 24 when the switch box l8 and lever l5 are approximately .paralleL and increasingly. greater changes in position for each turn or the, kn ob as the switch-box and leverare moved further away from parallelism. By this .arrangemente very fine adjustment may be-.=ei.fect.ed when:ne0

essary.

The electrical connections for the apparatu thus far describedvwill be apparentiromthe wiring diagram shown irr- Eigure 5. ,,'l here. nl arrive circuit :three positionsswitch; socentrols the entire instrument, 'thefive contactarms being designated. SI to -S5 inclusive. v:-;It;w,i1l bye-,pndem stood that the diagram represents two; plates of the same switch mounted upoma-common axis. In the first position,:.as shown; none of the cir? cuits are energized. {The ;ecQnd:pos,itiqn ,bri ngs into operation onlyslthe in icatin m chanism heretofore. described while the third positign actuates' the.;.indicating rmechanism and classi iye ing mechanism later to, be described.

The; functionin 1 i of: th ins rumen -wi 1- new be described for-the second position of the main switch-S. .=With nowork .in the gauging position, the spindle assembly 6 and pivotiarmalfi are in such position, that the-actuating plunger 2| of switch [1 is in its leit; or-depressedlpqsition closing contact,32 This resting position is maintained by adjustment of spring tension knob 30 and sprined a prev ousl des r bed. .;-F the purpose of clarity onlythe current source, relays,so1enoids and other parts about .tQ'heqdQ- scribed have been i en posit ve and ne at v designations. However it will-be; underst od f l al with suitable electrical units: alternating or gii--' tablished imthe restin pos t on and w t-19k disturbed when-.an und rs ze w rkpserted in the gaugin rposition.

If a-work piece-of acceptable'dimensiqnmrelation to the adjusumentsnmade-with tha master gauge piece as heretoiore..des,cribed.s sins rt d in the gau in position; th spind a sembly 5 will displace the pivot arm to a position where the actuating'plunger 2| of the switch H is allowed to return to its normal or right hand undepressed position. This will pen the contact 32'of switch H and extinguish the amber lamp Ll. The contact 43 will, however, be closed and the positive circuit of the source transferred from the conductor 34 to contact 43, through conductor 44 to contact 45, through conductor 46 to the positive sideof green relay 38 and its open contactflb, and to the closed contacts-48 and 48a of relay 39,-thence through conductor 49 to green lamp L2. Thus therelay 38 is now energized, the amber lamp Ll is extinguished, and the green lamp L2 illuminated. The closure of relay 38 performs a function which will later be described. Upon removal of the work piece the switches and circuits will return to their original conditions.

If-anoversize workpiece is inserted=in the gauging position, the spindle displacement as previously described will first extinguish the amber lamp LI, momentarily illuminate the green lamp L2, and then the pivot arm [5 will further displace the operating plunger 22 of switch l8 to its right or depressed condition. This will complete the positive circuit from source 33 as heretofore described, except that contact of switch 18 will now be open and contact 50 closed. Thus the positive circuit is carried through conductor 5| to the red lamp L3 illuminating this lamp, and to the positive side of the red relay 39 and its contact 481). The red relay 39 will now be operated and contacts 48 and 48a will open, extinguishing'the green lamp L2.

It is apparent that upon inserting work pieces tobe gauged between the spindle tip 3 and anvil 4, those that are-below the acceptable standard dimension will not cause sufficient motion of the pivot arm I5 to extinguish the amber lamp LI. This action will then be interpreted by the operator to indicate a rejectable, undersized piece. Insertion of work pieces which are within the acceptable tolerance range will cause motion of the pivot arm I5 sufficient to extinguish the amber lamp LI and illuminate the green lamp L2 but not enough to illuminate red lamp L3. This action will indicate that th work piece is acceptable. However, if the piece to be gauged is oversize, the motion of the pivot arm l5'w'ill be great enough t extinguish the amber lamp Ll, illuminat and extinguish the green lamp L2 and illuminate the red lamp L3. This will indicate a rejectable, oversize piece.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lamps Ll, L2 and L3 are so mounted as to illuminate windows in main housing 52 later to be described, which are within full and easy vision ofthe operator. Since the apparatus functions with great rapidity and follows the motion of the spindle, with only the speed-of operation of the relays and switches as limiting factors, it is apparent that the operator need hold the work to be gauged in position nly for a length of time'suflicient for his reflex actions to interpret the color of the glowing windows; Thus' it is evident that pieces may be gauged with great speed. i I

The gauging head and its operation having'thus been described, that part 'of the apparatus which may be and preferably is used in conjunction with the gauging head and controlled thereby for classifying gauged pieces according to their dimensions, will now be described. I

' Below the platform 2 are three compartments A, B and 0 above mentioned. Entrance to-these compartments through the opening '5 in the platform 2 is controlled by gates 53 and 54, As shown in the drawings, particularly'in Figures 1 and 3, these gates are normally'so positioned as to permit access only *to compartment *0 which is the compartment for undersize articles. When it is desired to'utilize that part of the apparatus which is about to be described, the switch S is turned to its third position to energize the circuits controlling the gates 53 and 54. 'I'he'several parts cle of the proper size to be directed into com- I partment B; If the gauging point is moved still further away from the abutment 4, thus indicating that the gauged article is oversize, the gate 53 will also be actuated, and thus the gauged article dropped' through the opening 5 will be directed int compartment A.

Referring now to Figures 1, Zand 3, the structure of the compartments, gates and mechanism for operating them, will now be described.

A suitable housingf52 provides support for platform 2 carrying gauging head I and other parts of the classifying mechanism to be now described. A subf-panel'55 is mounted in housing 52' and extends approximately from the front top to rear bottom at an angle, of approximately 45. Vertically mounted on the upper :side of panel are partitions 56 and 5! approximately shaped in a trapezoidal manner to divide the space between platform 2 and panel 55 into three compartments designated A, B and C as heretofore indicated. The lower or rear of these compartments are open in order that gauged pieces may be discharged into separate boxes, chutes, bags or other containers corresponding to the classifications mentioned. Since the panel 55 which forms the floor of compartments A, B and C is on an'angle of approximately 45 it. is obvious that work pieces being deposited in the entry of any compartment will be discharged by gravity into its corresponding container.

The gates 53 and 54 which control entry are also approximately trapezoidal in shape in order to occupy the space between panel 55 and platform 2 and are .in effect movable continuations of partitions 56 and 51, respectively. The gates 53 and 54 are mounted on shafts 58 and 59 which are carried in bushings on panel 55 and are disposed vertically thereto. Mounted on shafts 58 and 59 but on the underside of panel 55,'are gears 60 and 6| which are driven by gear sectors 62 and 63 mounted rotatably on pivots 64' and 65. Attached to gear sectors 62 and B3 are solenoid plungers 66 and 61 and springs 68 and 69. When solenoids Ill and H are not energized, springs 68 and 69 maintain gearsectors B2 and 63 against stops which are not shown. When in this neutral or at-rest position gate 53 is so positioned that any work piece directed. through opening 5 in platform 2 will" be deposited in the entryway of compartment C for undersized articles.

If the solenoid H is energized the plunger 6'! will be-attracted andigear sector 63 rotated on its pivt '65 and through gear: 6 I. will rotate; gataikon .its axisto thepositlonshown byltho hrolseni lines .in Figure 3. .Work-piccesmow drcppedithrough opening. 53 inc platform: 2 willcber-i dcnositedrrln .compartmcniiB for; correctly sizedu-artides :since withrgate 54: in; its new-position. .theientrywoy to compartment C. is shut: Orland only-compart- .merit;B is open. Eurtherizifrithe.above; action take place and. solenoid 210; is. also .--encrgized plunger 66 willbe attracted andsectorfi2-rota e on itspivot; fikwhich; will-rotate. gear. @6 1. -Gete .53..will ncwlassume thmpQSitiOn ShOWn ib-the broken lines .in Fi ure 3. Thusanyiworlsplece now. -deposited ican ion yabe directed :into c mpartment .A for. oversizedarticles. :Upon re eas of; solenoids ll]. .andl I; springs BBeand -69 will exert. snllicientpressureto return. both ates d their 1 original positions.

Themain housin -.52. al o simports'theswitch Sr switches l21an 1r13 tube-later. de c1:ibed.=.and th 1 aforementioned windows. f or. the indicatin lamps LI, L2 and L3 .as .welLas other aSSQQiated .parts. Lamps. L Lland ,3." e .ays2 38 and 3.9,

solenoids in and: 1| and :fuse are all mounted .on underside; of sub-pane 5 .W n. it is d sired tomse -theautomatic classifying mechanism of the ,zi'nresentinvention, switch S is placed in the -:third-;position. :Tlfhe several circuits as heretofore outlined-will function -as previously l described. .The i additions necessary tooperate the gatesr53 and 54 and classify the work. intoand: .throughihe three compartments A,- B and .C willnowbe described.

When no Work is in the gauging position, the

amberlamp LI willbe, illuminated and the gates and :54 will be in theposition shown in Figures l and 3. -A circuit difference now. to be noted is that with switch .8 inits thirdpositicn, the positive circuit from sourcet33 toamber lamp .LI is completed through conducton34.-to switch 12, through conductor 1 5 to switch 13, through contact. 16 and conductor. Tito contacts" and .l8a ofeswitch section S3,.thro1igh conductor. to contacts 41 and-41a. of green vrelay..38 and finally through conductor. 3l.to amberlamp Ll.

This c ndition will notbedisturbed by a. work piece that is. smaller than the acceptable standard. Thus, this piece-whenpassed through the gaugingposition and.dropped through the. opening -5 will be directed .into .,and ,.discharged through compartment C. I

,-When a workpiece ofacceptable dimension is placed in the gauging position, spindle assembly 6 wi11-be=disp1acedtothe mid position exactly a p v ly described. .Now the positive, circult of source 33 will-bensupplied through con- .ductors 34,44 and 4B asflandbef ore, green relay 38 will be energized, opening contacts fill-and 41a and closing contacts-41 land 41b. Thus the amber light Ll will be. extin uished. and the green lamp L2 will be illuminated through contacts 48 and 48a ofred relay 39.and conductor 49. In addition, positive circuit fromsource 33' .will also .be supplied solenoid H through an extension of conductor 46. Negative. circuit from source 33 will be supplied both solenoids l0 and H through conductor 80 and contacts ill and 81a of switch section S4, and through conductor 82 and contacts 83 and 83a, of switch section S5 respectively. Therefore,-when the green, lamp L2 is illuminated, the solenoid will be-cnergized and the gate 54wil1 be actuated.

-'When the instrument; is. being lused for automatic classifying, pieces are: inserted into and .passed through the sagging .-Pint ,with great .the conducton :19 to rthe relayrcoili .38.

rapid trh spind e, therefore. will; on y b advanced .to and remain. in -theindicating po ition; corresponding to the ,size of the work piece for ayery short. intervaland-will then drop back to the restingrpositionras with no work. Meanwhile the; gate 54 hasbeenactuated by the sole noid H. Tqprevent the gate- 54 Irom returning to its original position and to retainilluminaticn of theproper indicating-lamp. and not re-illumihate the amber r lamp Ll a holding .or electrical interlock circuit is provided. When .a piece of cceptable size ,isgapgedthis circuit willmain- ,tain the green relay 38 and the solenoid II in an energized condition-by the closing of contacts" and 41b of relay '38,..and the-consequent maintenanpe of thepositiveside of :the circuitthrouih If either switch .1201 13 iis:momentarily.opened, thisholding or interlock circuit will be. brokenand relay 38 .and solenoid l l'will be returnedtonormal. The

holding of this interlock system, provides time .for the. gravity feed, selection and discharge of; the workpiece to and.v through the proper compartmentwhioli in this .caseis compartment .3. The reason f riinc sion f switches 12 .and "will be explain d in detail subsequently,

. Ifnow a work piece-of greater than. standard dimension islinsertedto and through the gaugin P sition. the described operations will again take place, but the greater displacement of pivctarm l5 will depress-plunger 22 ofswitch 48. causing thepositive circuit ofsouree-33 toxbe now conmooted-through conductor 5| to red 191 9113 which will be illuminatedand solenoid 'llllwhichw ll b energi ed. Also relay 3.9 will be energized, causing green lamp L2 to beiextinguished by the opening of. contacts .48 and 48a. .The holding-circuit previously, described hasiagain functioned and caused green relay: and green solenoid H to remain energized. -Anadditional holding, circuit for red relay39 is now present in the form of a positive connection from source 33.0n contacts!!! and 48b, of relay. Thus the redJampLl and the relays 3 8 .and33as. wellassolenoidsflll and 1| willall remain energizeduntil-either switch .12 or 13 is ,momentarily opened. .The oversized wo kpie wi n w be; depositedin compartment A by action of gates.- 53.and 54 aslpreviously described. Again, the holding; circuit has provided suificient time tor the gravity vreed, classification and dischargeinto and, from the Drpp r compartment.

Since upon passing a. workpiece through the gauging. position, the apparatus will assume an action as described above ,and holdthis position, it is necessary that theneutral or rest position of all mechanisms and circuits he achievedbefore .the next work piece is inserted. To this end the .out the insertionof-a workpiece.

From the preceding. description it-will be seen that apparatus otthe present invention may be used in two differentways depending upon, the setting of switch szinthe se ond or third position.

When workpieces are'not-of a suitable dimension or condition to lend themselves to automatic classification, the switch is set in its second position and gauging is done manually by inserting the piece to the gauging position, interpreting the classification from the color of the lamp which is lighted, withdrawing the piece and depositing in one of the three categories, i. e., amber (too small), green (satisfactory) and red (too large). It is to be noted that the lamp indicating mechanisms follow the displacement of the spindle assembly in the same order and, therefore, the work must be maintained in the gauging position a length of time sufficient to interpret the color which represents the size of the gauge-d work piece.

Many classes of work pieces may be found that lend themselves to automatic classification. Generally such pieces are of simple contour and relatively light weight so that no physical damage will be incurred by dropping them through the opening 5. For such work pieces the switch S is set in third position and inspection time will be greatly shortened since the operator only needs to pass the work piece through gauging position and drop it into the opening 5. All of this can be performed with great rapidity and the capacity of the machine will be only limited by the capacity of the operator.

It is to be noted that while the indicating lamps Ll, L2 and L3 also are a part of. this circuit and remain in an illuminated condition corresponding to the size of the piece most recently gauged, their function is only to indicate to the operator the general quality of the: work being submitted. Thus if too many rejects are noted, the machines producing the work pieces may immediately be adjusted.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the apparatus of the present invention may if desired be equipped with suitable hopper and feeding mechanism and the size, shape and location of the anvil 4 may be varied, all depending upon the particular size and shape of the work piece to be gauged.

The invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a gauging apparatus having a pivoted switch Operating lever arm, the combination of a movable bushing, a gauging pin adjustably mounted in said bushing, a lever contacting pin extending outwardly from said bushing at the.

end opposite the gauging pin, means providing a stop for said lever contacting pin, adjustable spring means urging said lever contacting pin against said stop, spring means urging said bushing and lever contacting pin toward said lever, and adjustable spring means urging said lever toward said pin.

)2. Gauging apparatus including a gauging head comprising an abutment, a gauge pin, yielding means holding the gauge pin in a normal position in which it is spaced from the abutment less than the correct dimension to be gauged, first switch means operated by movement of the gauge pin away from the abutment to a distance substantially equal to the correct dimension to be gauged, and second switch means operated by movement of the gauge pin away from the abutment substantially further than the correct dimension to be gauged; a first indicator for undersize articles, an electric circuit for operating said indicator when the gauge pin is in said normal position and has not operated either of said switch means, a second indicator for articles of correct size, electric contacts that close a circuit for operating the second indicator-and open the circuit that operates the first indicator in response to operation of the first switch means, a third indicator for articles of excessive size, other electric contacts that close a circuit for operating the third indicator and open the circuit that operates the second indicator in response to operation of the second switch means, a holding circuit for keeping the electric contacts in position to maintain the second indicator in operation, a holding circuit for keeping the other electric contacts in position to maintain the third indicator in operation, means operated by the next article to be gauged for releasing the holding circuits closed by the gauging of the preceding article.

3. Gauging apparatus including'a stationary work table, an abutment supported by said stationary work table, means for holding the abutment in a fixed position with respect to the table, a gauging head connected with the table and including a gauge pin, yielding means holding the gauge pin in a normal position in which it isspaced from the abutment by a distance less than the correct dimension to be gauged, adjustable means for changing the distance between the abutment and the normal position of the gauge pin, first switch means operated by movement of the gauge pin away from the abutment to a distance substantially equal to the correct dimension to be gauged, second switch means operated by movement of the gauge pin away from the abutment substantially further than the correct dimension to be gauged, a first indicator for undersize articles, an electric circuit for operating said indicator when the gauge pin is in normal position and has not operated either of said switch means, a second indicator for articles of correct size, electric contacts that close a circuit for operating the second indicator and open the circuit that operates the first indicator in response to operation of the first switch means, a third indicator for articles of excessive size, other electric contacts that close a circuit for operating the third indicator and open the circuit that operates the second indicator in response to operation of the second switch means, gates for guiding gauged articles into difierent compartments including a reject compartment for undersize articles, a compartment for articles of correct size, and a compartment for oversize articles,

' mechanism that positions the gates to guide gauged articles into the reject compartment before said electric contacts have closed the circuits to the second or third indicator, said mechanism including apparatus for positioning the gates to guide gauged articles into the correct-size compartment in response to closing of the circuit that operates the second indicator, and positioning the gates to guide gauged articles into the oversize compartment in response to operation of said other electric contacts to close the circuit that operates the third indicator, control means for maintaining the gates in their operated positions after the gauged article has moved beyond the gauging head, and means for determining how long said control means are effective.

HORACE J. LANDAY. CHARLES W. WARREN. 

